The global medical and aesthetic tourism industry is booming. The Korea Times has recently reported that the country received 605,768 patients of foreign nationalities last 2023. This is 144.2 percent jump from their previous record. The same report also stated that more than half of those tourists received aesthetic treatments during their visit: 35.2 percent for dermatology and 16.8 percent for plastic surgery. 

Now, the Philippines is stepping onto the stage, aiming to make its mark as a premier destination for aesthetic and wellness services. Recent data from the Global Wellness Institute highlights the Philippines' strong position in the wellness economy, ranking 8th regionally and 20th globally. 

Acknowledging the potential of wellness and aesthetic services to boost tourism growth, the Department of Tourism (DOT) is strategically positioning the Philippines as a wellness destination. Among these is the accreditation of aesthetic clinics as DOT partners. Last Feb . 9, 2024, DOT announced Belo Medical Group as the first Aesthetic clinic partner in the country. Then, recently, another clinic named Vine Holistic Medical Aesthetics also made it to the list. 

“DOT has ongoing efforts to position the Philippines as a wellness destination,” Virgilio M. Maguigad, EnP, director, Office of Tourism Standards & Regulations of the DOT told Style Weekend in an email conversation. “The DOT has recently launched the Filipino Brand of Wellness concept and is precisely aimed at making the Philippines a major player in this sector. Accreditation is also being done by our regional offices for these clinics as secondary tourism enterprises under existing standards.” 

Style Weekend talked to Dr. Em Sevilla of Vine Aesthetics to give insight on the industry status and how far the sector on claiming a spot in the aesthetic tourism map. Sevilla is a registered nurse and a aesthetic dermatology specialist. She’s a diplomate and internationally certified board specialist by the American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine, an associate fellow of the Philippine Academy of Aesthetic Surgery, and a fellow of the Philippine Academy of Aesthetic and Age Management Medicine. 

According to her, Filipino doctors and healthcare workers are among the most competitive in the world, thus, there are Filipino nurses and doctors across the globe.  Locally, Sevilla admitted that unification among healthcare professionals is needed and more help from the government sector is essential to position the Philippines as an aesthetic and wellness destination. 

“We have the advantage because there’s flexibility when it comes to doing aesthetic procedures,” she said. “Right now, we have to decide which service we want to own. Is it the nose, the eyes, or the anti-aging services?” 

The Philippines is still in the early stages of becoming a major aesthetic tourism player. The potential, however, is undeniable. With the right strategy, collaboration, and investment, the Philippines could soon become a top choice worldwide for aesthetic and wellness seekers.

“Malayo pa tayo. But if somebody will really focus on this, we can do it in three years time. But if none, 10 years is not enough. We need someone who will work on it to turn the vision into a reality,” she said. 

Sevilla said that her clinics received local patients of all ages. Teenagers want to get rid of acne, young professionals want clearer skin, and older markets are into slimming and anti-aging. Looking at these services, a single clinic can offer made her more optimistic that the Philippines can be an aesthetic destination. 

“With so many services that we could offer here in the Philippines, I think it’s only a matter of time before we become known for something. Like anti-aging. I really want the Philippines to have that claim in the aesthetics world map. We just need an entry point and soon, we will have it,” she ended.